Footwear with energy accumulation

The invention relates to the field of footwear for everyday use, sports footwear, including footwear for running, jumping, skating, skiing, biking, etc., and footwear used as rehabilitation measures to restore the leg muscles' working capacity.

[0002] Usually footwear is used to protect human legs from external factors. According to its intended purpose, typical footwear has a sufficiently robust and strong sole and upper part ("top") connected to the sole and ensuring the footwear is kept on the feet, and protecting them, if necessary, from environmental influences. The rear end of the mountain in most types of footwear is supplied with stiff inserts forming the back. The molds and soles are depending on the purpose of the footwear, and may vary (see Bolshaya Sovetskaya Entsiklopediya - Great Soviet Encyclopedia, here called BSE Obuv Http://slovari.yandex.ru/dict/bse/article/0005 4). [0003] The specified footwear does not significantly affect the way the person moves. While walking, a person lifts one leg, leaning on the other at the moment, moves the raised leg forward and lowers it onto the support surface (floor). The process is then repeated (BSE.<a href="http://slovari.yandex.ru/dict/bse/article/00086/96200.htm?text=%25">http://slovari.yandex.ru/dict/bse/article/00086/96200.htm?text=%</a>

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[0004] One of the features of the method of human movement, compared to most other mammals, is the nature of the contact of the leg with the support surface. Man transferring his / her weight to the other leg primarily relies on the heel bone of the foot, and then transfers the load (person's weight) to the entire foot.

[0005] A disadvantage of such a method of moving while walking is the irrational expenditure of energy. The gravity component is completely lost at every step. Body organs that are able to partially store energy, such as the Achilles tendon and ankle, do not work well enough.

[0006] Most animals move in a different way. Primary contact with the support surface (ground) is made from the front (forward) part of the leg (paws), which means that the foot joints work on torsion, the tendons are stretched, accumulating energy, and then release energy and additional pushing the leg (paws) ) by doing the next step or jump.

[0007] In the case of a human, primary support on the toes and bones of the metatarsus of the leg occurs only from time to time, for example during running.

[0008] There are many well-known devices to increase the mobility of a human based on the accumulation of energy through a resilient element capable of deforming during walking and releasing energy during the return of this element to the initial position.

[0009] Footwear mainly used for sport, including a support device, made as a boot covering with a support system in the form of a spring loaded device with levers compressed by helical spiral springs is known, in which the main lever is placed near the sole of the shoe with the possibility of rotating and longitudinal displacements with respect to this axis, and the base part of the main lever acts downwards with respect to the sole of the shoe (see RU2238125 Patent of the Russian Federation, priority 27 April 1998 GB), While walking, the user raises the leg and the boot on it, so that the boot and protruding the lever does not touch the ground. Then, moving the boot down, the main lever, first touching the ground, rotates, overcoming the reaction of the spring, causing the spiral spring to deform with energy accumulation,

[0011] The disadvantage of the above-described footwear and the way it moves during its wearing is a considerable complexity of its construction and obstruction in movement, in particular related to the need to raise the footwear to a considerable height.

[0012] A similar principle is used when designing a device according to US 6840893, filed on April 29, 2002. This device is also based on the use of springs deformed when lowering the leg and returning energy when the leg is further lifted. However, this solution is also uncomfortable and unacceptable for use in everyday life.

[0013] Footwear designed as a high boot provided with a device for increasing the jumping ability is known, comprising a support element providing a reliable attachment of the foot and another element comprising the calf and connected to the first element to provide a rotation in which the rotating device is positioned along the same axis with ankle joint. Both of these elements are connected to each other by the expanding spring (German patent DE 4038511, priority 3 December 1990). Deficiencies of the device designed in this way are similar to the state of the art of the above-mentioned devices: complexity of construction, inconvenience of operation, impractical application in everyday life. Moving while wearing such footwear requires considerable effort, special skills and advanced coordination skills.

In the opinion of the author of the present invention, similar footwear, close to the present invention, is described in US Patent No. 6840893 filed on July 17, 2003. Similar footwear (hereinafter "prototype") includes a device for increasing the user's jumping ability. The prototype includes a support platform able to fix the foot's position. The rear part of the platform is connected by means of a vertical element with a shoe fastening element on the calf. The bottom part of the platform is articulated by means of a lever with the lower part of the arc-shaped plate spring provided with a radial and wear-resistant surface. The upper part of the platform is rigidly connected to the shoe fastening element on the shin.

[0015] Human walking in said footwear takes place by means of continuous raising and lowering of the feet. With the foot down, the arched spring is bent, and the bottom of the pants approaches the platform more. When lifting the foot, the spring is released and pushes the foot fixed inside the device forward and up.

[0016] The jump in jumps or at the moment of takeoff while running in the energy-collecting shoe is carried out by means of compulsive strain (load) of the spring and the subsequent removal of the foot from the ground using the energy released as a result of the release of the spring.

[0017] The operation of the ankle and Achilles tendon does not affect the effectiveness of the jumps. The deformation of the spring is realized only at the expense of the human weight. The use of an arched spring allowed to avoid spiral springs, which increased the efficiency of energy storage and reliability of the device operation.

[0018] However, the nature of foot landing with the device has not only changed, but has also become more pronounced: initial support on the back of the foot and rapid weight transfer to the entire foot.

[0019] The use of footwear with such a device will entail the following disadvantages:

- Significant complexity of the design of the shoe equipped with a specific mechanism;

- Lack of possibility to increase the efficiency of the ordinary walking process, complexity of footwear usage in everyday life;

- The walking process requires raising the legs to a significant height;

- The walking process requires considerable effort, special skills and good user coordination.

- In addition, such footwear can not be used for other types of movement, for example, for skating, skiing, etc.

[0020] US Patent No. 5,142,779 discloses a shoe comprising a rocking sole with a downwardly tilted leg portion in which a previously downwardly loaded sole provides the user with a mechanical advantage. Converting kinetic energy into potential energy by trapping a previously loaded sole and stiffness of the structure of the sole in static conditions, transferring the load from the muscles of the foot to the stronger calf muscles, improves athletic performance.

[0021] US Patent No. 5,076,942 discloses a kick shoe with a curved sole that maintains the correct foot geometry for kicking the ball from the air and kicking typical of football by providing the correct concavity for the toes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0022] The primary objective of the present invention is to create a simple and user-friendly footwear commonly used in everyday life, in sport, medicine, etc., allowing to effectively implement not only the user's weight, but also his / her muscle energy for energy storage caused by elastic deformation, and for transferring energy to the next push away of the foot from the support surface, increasing the walking performance. Other objects may be appreciated by those skilled in the art upon examination of the present invention.

[0023] This object is achieved by designing the energy-collecting footwear disclosed herein below.

In the first version, not forming the object of the invention, the footwear comprises a resilient sole; elastic back element connected to the sole; and fastening elements connected to the sole and back element; fastening elements secure the foot's position on the sole; in which, according to the invention, the sole and the back element are arranged between each other at an initial angle exceeding 90 ° and form a flat elastically deformable knee spring (hereinafter also called "leaf spring") with a predetermined elasticity, while the sole and the back element they are like "arms" (or shoulders) of a leaf spring.

[0025] The leaf spring may be made as a whole with the sole and the back element rigidly connected to each other, the sole and the back member being the arms of the leaf spring. Alternatively, the spring arms can be manufactured separately and then attached to the common soles and the common back element respectively.

[0026] The sole and the back element forming the leaf spring may be made of a resilient polymeric material.

[0027] The initial angle between the spring arms may vary depending on the properties required, as well as on the intended use of the footwear and the user's physical abilities.

[0028] The cross-section of the spring may be made constant or variable along its length. The elastic properties and stiffness of the spring can be arranged as fixed or variable along its length and / or width.

[0029] The leaf spring may comprise sections with a C-shaped cross-section for partially covering the foot.

[0030] In a second version, which is the object of the present invention, footwear includes the features defined in claim 1.

[0031] The spring can be made entirely with the sole element of the sole. Alternatively, it can be rigidly connected to the leading part of the sole.

[0032] The initial angle between the bent down spring and the rear part of the sole at its bottom is approximately 90 ° or less.

[0033] The following functions may advantageously be arranged for a second version of footwear:

• The spring clamping and bending zone can be located in the following areas of the foot: at the beginning of the metatarsus, on the toes of the toe or closer to the heel.

• The spring can be produced from a resilient polymeric material or from another resilient material.

• The initial bending angle of the spring of the sole can be selected depending on its properties as well as the purpose of the footwear and the user's physical abilities within the scope of claim 1.

• The cross-section of the spring can be made constant or variable along its length and width.

• The spring may include sections with a C-shaped cross-section for a partial foot covering.

• The front part of the spring can be bent, for example in the shape of a hook, for contact with irregularly projecting irregularities of the support surface.

[0034] Thus patented footwear works based on the use of the user's body weight and energy resulting from the user's muscles to forcefully change the angle between the spring arms (i.e., spring load) and subsequent spring energy return when the spring is released (i.e., discharge springs), which returned energy is used for the next movement of pushing the user's foot forward and up. In the first version, the arms are the sole and the rear part of the footwear. In the second version, the spring arms are the end portion of the sole and the rear portion of the sole, in which the end portion is cantilever attached to the rear portion. [0035] Depending on the specific requirements, an initial angle of 140 ° between the spring arms can vary.

[0036] For the use of footwear in the first embodiment using "conservative" and not very strong physical people, it is expedient to use a rather small initial angle between the spring arms (back element and sole). For young and trained people, the angle may be preferably wider.

[0037] Teenagers may like more extreme versions with an angle closer to 180 °. For athletes training and extreme movements, the starting angle may be greater than 180 °.

[0038] In this case, when the footwear is put on the foot (before the foot is placed in the footwear on the support surface), the initial (initial) compulsory strain (compression) of the spring is done by the effort of the user's muscles as a result of, and after the initial compression, the angle between the arms should not exceed 180 °.

[0039] In a similar way, using footwear in the second version, for people who are trying to perform extreme activities (eg strong impressions), the starting angle can differ significantly from the common "anatomical" location of the sole part.

[0040] The size of the initial angle also depends on the characteristics of the spring: its elasticity and stiffness, which is defined by the sole material and rear element, the geometric shape of the spring, etc. The more rigid the spring is, the smaller the angle needed to provide the necessary effect .

[0041] In the case of a human body having significant weight and strong muscles, movement with maximum spring deformation is possible at the time of complete support on the foot. In the case where the person is lightweight or has weak muscles, the movement can be made with partial spring deformation and partial support on the foot.

[0042] The appearance of the patented footwear is uncommon. For example, in the first embodiment of the footwear, the rear element is not initially perpendicular to the sole, the angle between them is variable and in the starting position can be much larger than 90 °. In the second version of the footwear, the leading part of the sole is bent outwards downwards.

[0043] Additional conditions are required for the reliable attachment of the leg to the footwear. The fastening can be provided with the upper part of the boot made higher than usual and can be provided by means of special fasteners, for example straps in the shin zone and the foot.

[0044] Footwear can be manufactured industrially or as a home-based product, therefore it meets the criterion of "industrial applications".

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The essence of the invention is exemplified in the accompanying drawings in which FIGURES 1-6 illustrate footwear of the first version that is not part of the present invention, and FIGURES 7-11 depict footwear of the second version in accordance with preferred embodiments of the present invention .

FIG. 1 shows the appearance of the footwear of the first version worn on a human leg at the time of first contact with the surface of the substrate with an initial angle between the spring arms slightly greater than 90 °.

FIG. 2 shows the same leg position in the shoe, but with an initial angle between the spring arms substantially greater than 90 °

FIG. 3 shows the position of the leg in the footwear with the maximally deformed spring (the angle between the arms is less than or equal to 90 °) and the rear view variants.

FIG. 4 shows the type of footwear with partial covering by the spring of the lower leg and part of the foot.

FIG. 5 shows the appearance of the footwear (without the leg) at an angle of 180 °.

FIG. 6 shows the appearance of shoes (without legs) at an angle of more than 180 °.

FIG. 7 illustrates the appearance of the footwear of the second version, with the sole developed and the initial angle between the arms of the spring a little less than 180 °, which is not part of the present invention.

FIG. 8 shows shoes according to the invention with an initial angle of much less than 180 °.

FIG. 9 shows shoes according to the invention with an angle between the spring arms less than 90 °.

FIG. 10 shows the shoes according to the invention with a bent hook-shaped spring.

FIG. 11 shows variants of deformation in walking with an inventive sole shown in FIG. 7, depending on the physical properties (elasticity, stiffness) of the spring (the dashed line represents the initial free position of the spring) and the intensity of the load, in which:

FIG. 11a shows a spring which is loaded and straight (the spring and the remainder of the sole are in one plane);

FIG. 11b shows a spring which is loaded and bent in a direction opposite to the initial position;

FIG. 11c shows a rigid spring that is under load with insufficient bodyweight action or insufficient muscular effort; the spring does not reach the flat state, and remains bent down, although it remains at an angle greater than the initial angle between the spring and the rear part of the sole.

Although the invention may be embodied in various forms, the specific embodiments of the present invention described in detail in the drawings are described in detail, with the understanding that the present disclosure should be considered as exemplifying the principles of the invention, and is not intended to limit the invention to the present invention. as described and described in this document.

DESCRIPTION OF DESIGNING AND USING FOOTWEAR FOOTWEAR [0047] With reference to FIGURES 1 - 6, a preferred embodiment of the first version of footwear that is not part of the present invention includes a sole (1), a rear element (2), or simply a back 2 ), the sole 1 and back 2 form a deformable leaf spring (3) with a predetermined elasticity; and the top of the footwear (4) connected to the sole 1 and back 2.

[0048] In one preferred embodiment of the first version, the sole 1 and the rear 2 are the arms of the leaf spring 3, i.e. the sole and the back themselves form a spring. In other words, the spring 3 consists of the sole 1 and the rear 2. In this case, the sole 1 and the back 2 can be made of materials that are elastic enough (e.g. elastic polymeric materials) to provide the required conditions.

The back 2 is one of the elements for fixing the foot position relative to the sole 1. In the footwear without a user leg therein, the initial angle between the sole 1 and back 2 is always greater than 90 ° and the starting angle can be even greater than 180 ° (see, for example, FIG. 6). The design of the footwear ensures reduction of the angle between the sole 1 and back 2 in the interaction of footwear with the leg.

[0050] In another preferred embodiment, in the first version, the sole 1 and the back 2 can be made of ordinary materials typically used in the manufacture of shoes, wherein the leaf spring arms 3 are made of any resilient materials (preferably together with a suitable type of metal) and showing elastic properties. The sole 1 and the back 2 can then be rigidly connected to the corresponding spring arms 3. In this case, the sole 1 and the back 2 together with the rigidly connected spring 3 also constitute a flat spring assembly.

[0051] Depending on the intended use, footwear may be made in various forms. It can be warm winter shoes, such as boots or high boots, or it can be light summer shoes, for example, sandals or running shoes (not shown in the drawings).

[0052] The top 4 may have the usual shape for a closed footwear, but it must be ensured that the angle between the sole 1 and back 2 is changed in a predetermined wide range. For this purpose, it may be made of a resilient material, or it may contain easily deformable inserts (5), e.g. folded in zones subjected to tension and compression.

[0053] The top of the footwear 4 may consist of, or comprise, other fastening elements (6) for securely fixing the leg in the footwear. The additional fastening elements 6 can be made in the form of a strap, string, elastic band, etc. including the shin, ankle or foot (see FIGS. 1, 2 and 3). The anti-leg displacement member may also be referred to as one of the attachment means 6. This may be a stiff ankle of the boot or an overlapped plate bent up on the sole 1 (see FIGS. 1 and 2).

[0054] The initial angle between the spring arms (sole 1 and rear 2) is greater than 90 °. The widest angle can be up to 220 ° and even more (see FIG 6).

[0055] Footwear with an angle greater than 180 ° is indicated for use in sport or training, since in this case, before starting the movement, when putting on the shoes, it is necessary to apply some muscle effort to pre-compress the spring to exclude an angle of inverse, because otherwise the leg will not fit the footwear. The same effort is required to detach the leg from the support surface. The use of shoes with an angle of more than 180 ° is associated with a certain risk and therefore requires special skills.

[0056] The stiffness of the spring may be constant over the length and width of the spring or may be variable. For example: the spring material may have different longitudinal stiffness characteristics.

The spring 3 composed of the sole 1 and back 2 can have the same cross section along its entire length.

[0058] In other embodiments, the size and shape of the cross-section along the spring may vary in the longitudinal direction. For example, to increase the spring stiffness in the determined zones, the cross-section area can be increased.

[0059] The spring may be made with a partial covering of the leg. In this case, the spring may have, in some zones (see FIG. 4) the C-shaped cross-section [0060] As shown in FIG. 1, the spring 3 is provided with protruding C-shaped elements (e.g., buckles) of limited width, also denoted by reference number 3. They comprise a leg in the foot region and in the rear part.

[0061] FIG. 4 (section AA) shows these protruding elements of the C-shaped spring 3 made longitudinally, such that they provide significant coverage of the leg surface.

[0062] Other versions of the spring embodiment are also possible.

[0063] The magnitude of spring stiffness may be chosen depending on its purpose: the "soft" spring 3 may be used for everyday use shoes, and the stiffer spring 3 may be used for sports footwear.

[0064] It is advantageous to provide the possibility of bending the foot. This can be done by using a spring consisting of a sole and a back, with two bending zones: the first zone is in the heel part of the footwear and the other zone is in the leg end region of the foot (not shown in the drawings).

[0065] By using significantly stiff springs, as shown in FIG. 5 and 6, it is necessary to ensure bending under the heel.

[0066] The form of the footwear also determines the nature of walking or running in it. At the moment of detachment from the support surface, the angle between the sole 1 and back 2 is increased due to the release of the spring. The direction of the foot approaches the direction of the leg. Therefore, the leg lands on the front of the foot and only then the foot lowers until the sole comes into full or partial contact with the support surface.

[0067] With full contact, the angle between the sole and the back approaches the traditional 90 ° angle. This allows for more effective use of the person's physical abilities, in particular to fully use his / her weight and to ensure effective work of the ankle and Achilles tendon.

[0068] A preferred way of moving in the footwear of the first version is as follows. Man chooses footwear with the most suitable spring features (angle between sole 1 and back 2 and spring stiffness) and puts on footwear. In the free state, the foot is not supported on the ground, and is oriented in a direction that is close to the shin.

[0069] In the case of shoes with an angle of 180 °, the direction of the foot in the free state coincides with the direction of the shin. For shoes with an angle of more than 180 °, the direction of the foot coincides with the shin direction, due to the fact that the user overcomes the spring pressure by the effort of the muscles when putting on the shoes, creating an angle closer to 180 °, his / her muscles are constantly tensed, to keep the angle between the arms of the spring within the limits permissible by the physiological properties of the foot.

[0070] Then the person stands on the support surface. The spring of the sole of the footwear is deformed with an angle between the arms approaching 90 °. Then the man begins to move, lifting one leg, and still resting on the other. When lifting the leg, the spring is released with the increase of the angle between the arms of the spring to the initial one, simultaneously pushing the leg forward and up. Then the man lowers his leg to the support surface. At this point the spring 3 is maximally unbent, the foot touches the support surface not part of the heel, but part of the forefoot and then the leg overcoming the spring reaction, deforms (squeezes) the spring to an angle approaching 90 ° (FIG. 3).

[0071] A man with heavy weight while walking rests on the whole foot surface. If the weight of a man is relatively small, his / her pressure will not be enough to completely compress the spring, and he / she will move by resting only on the part of the foot, for example, "on the fingers".

[0072] There is another possible way of moving around in footwear, mainly intended for muscle training. The leg, which does not come into contact with the support surface, is constantly tense. The user with the effort of his / her muscles squeezes the spring, trying to keep the angle between the back and the sole about 90 °. In this case, the shoes mainly accumulate muscle energy. The user can relax the leg muscles only when the leg rests (stands on the support surface). During this time, the activity of the muscles depending on the user's weight is replaced by gravitational forces. Leg landing with this type of movement can happen in various ways: on the finger, on the entire foot, on the heel, depending on the nature of the movement and the will of the user.

[0073] It is also possible to deform the spring due to the calf muscles. In this case, to ensure spring compression, it is necessary to ensure that the back of the footwear is in contact with the muscle, e.g. by making a high enough top of the footwear, even partially covering the leg, or by using special fastening straps. In such an embodiment, the spring deflection (reduction of the angle between the back and the sole) will be ensured by rotating the leg in the ankle joint.

DESCRIPTION OF DESIGNING AND USING SHOES OF THE SECOND VERSION [0074] With reference to FIG. 7-11, as defined in the claims, the second version footwear includes a sole 1 and a spring 3. In contrast to the first version, the spring 3 is the front sole element 1. The spring 3 is cantilevered attached to the second rear part 2 of the sole 1. Thus, the spring support 3 it is an extension of the rear (main) part 2 of the sole 1. In its initial position, the spring 3 is bent downwards at an angle ά relative to the rear part 2.

[0075] The flexion zone may be defined in the area of ​​joining of the front element (spring) 3 with the rear part 2. The flexion zone 1 of the sole may be positioned correspondingly to traditional foot flexure areas: the tip of the toe part, midfoot zone (cavity) or zone adheres to the heel.

[0076] The top of the footwear 4 has the function of fixing the foot position on the sole 1 and can be made in part or all of a resilient material, which allows, on the one hand, periodic bending or folding of the sole 1 and, on the other hand, leg pressing, including its front part, on the sole spring 1. If desired, the user can prevent the spring from flexing with the effort of the muscles (spring return to the starting position) or straighten it using force.

[0077] According to the invention, without the user's foot placed in the footwear, the starting angle α between the front elastic part 1 and the back part of the sole 1 is approximately 90 ° or less.

[0078] The spring 3 of the sole can be made of elastic polymers and its longitudinal characteristic can be constant or variable.

[0079] In other embodiments, the size and shape of the cross-section along the length of the spring may be different. For example, to increase spring stiffness, the cross-section area in certain zones can be increased.

[0080] The spring can also be made with a partial covering of the foot. In this case, certain spring zones may have a C-shaped cross-section.

[0081] The magnitude of spring stiffness can be chosen depending on its purpose: a "soft" spring can be used in everyday shoes, and a more rigid spring can be used for sports footwear.

[0082] Top 4 footwear can be made of or include fasteners that provide protection to the foot in the footwear, including the front portion and the midfoot portion. These fasteners can be made in the form of:

- a nose portion 4, rigidly connected to a spring 3 (being the leading part of the sole) and forming a depression for placing the toes of the foot;

- including a foot of small straps, bands and similar rigid or resilient fasteners; wherein said or other attachment means also prevent movement of the foot along the sole or its part.

[0083] The use of shoes with an angle close to or below 90 ° is reasonable during sports training and competitions, since the determined muscle strength must be applied exactly at the time of putting the shoes on to the legs before starting to stretch (deflect) the spring 3, to exclude a significant inflection of the toes. Forces such as those are necessary for any detachment of the foot from the support surface. The use of footwear with an angle of almost 90 ° (FIGURE 9) causes some risk and therefore requires special training.

[0084] The decorative appearance of the second version of footwear is also uncommon. The sole is not straight, but it has clearly defined significant inflection; the angle between the support spring and the main back part of the sole is smaller than the traditional 180 ° angle; the front part of the sole in its initial state is bent downwards.

[0085] The formation of a sole portion in the form of a downward anchoring support in the initial position provides periodic deformation of the sole under the wearer's weight and / or the muscles and tendons of the foot, while accumulating the energy expended on this deformation. When the weight of the body is transferred from one leg to the other, the spring of the sole of the first foot, free from body weight, tends to return to its originally bent downward position. Returning the spring to this position can take place either gradually or quite quickly. In the return process, the spring pushes the toes of the foot away from the support surface to move the foot forward. The process of moving in the footwear according to the invention resembles walking on the fingers: at each step the user is pushed away from the support surface, this repulsion is carried out automatically.

[0086] During normal walking, the spring deformation is mainly provided by the user's body weight. When the foot is separated from the support surface and the muscles of the foot are relaxed (the foot has no tendency to support the flat position of the spring), as a result of the release of the spring the angle between the front and rear parts of the sole returns to its original position.

[0087] As a result of the spring bending, the touchdown takes place on the forward, protruding part of the foot, and only then, as a result of the weight of the human body, the spring straightens and the foot completely or partially touches the ground. With full contact, the angle between the nose and the rear main part of the sole approaches the traditional angle of 180 °.

Another way of moving is also possible. The touchdown can start from the heel of the foot while the spring is deformed under the weight of the human body until the spring becomes flat.

[0088] It is also possible to move in the following manner: the user, by means of the foot forces of his / her muscles, prevents the spring from bending at times when the foot is not supported on the surface. In this case, the sole in the process of movement remains almost straightforward and the touchdown can be of any type, depending on the user's wishes.

[0089] Depending on the weight of a person and muscle strength, he / she can move with maximum spring strain until the foot is fully supported on the ground (the angle between the spring and the remainder of the sole is almost 180 °), or with a partial deflection of the spring (the angle between the parts of the sole is less than 180 °), where the man goes on toes, the rear part of the foot does not touch the support surface.

[0090] It should be noted that the effect resulting from the energy accumulated by the footwear according to the invention is determined not only by the rate of initial bias of the front portion of the spring sole. As in the first version of the footwear, the effect is basically dependent on the characteristics of the spring: its elasticity and stiffness, i.e. the material from which the sole of the footwear is made, the shape of the spring, and so on. The stiffer the spring, the smaller the difference between the starting angle and the traditional angles required to achieve the necessary impact of the footwear.

[0091] The stiffness and elastic modulus may vary along the length of the spring; for example, in an area of ​​excessive bending, the spring may be less stiff than in its remaining part. [0092] In addition, it should be noted that the movements in the footwear according to the invention are easier because not only the resilient properties of the sole are used. For example, the rear portion of the sole, located under the heel as it is pushed away by the spring from the support surface, acts as a lever relative to the point of connection between the spring and the back part of the sole. In this case, the action of the released energy, accumulated by the spring, complements the operation of this lever. The spring, rotating in relation to the fixing point of the support, acts on the rear part of the sole, with a tendency to return it upwards.

[0093] Also important are the features of the fastening elements that secure the position of the foot relative to the sole. These elements are for pressing the foot of the foot to the sole in any position of the foot, including the place where the spring is pre-bent. In addition, the elements must provide a partial or complete reinforcement of the sole (increase the angle between the spring of the sole and the back part of it to 180 °), due to the action of the user's muscles. An additional condition is the ability to change the angle without destroying part of the footwear.

[0094] The formation of the front portion of the sole in the form of a downwardly angled hook allows the footwear to be used to move over stones and rocks, e.g. when wandering. In this case, if necessary, the user can catch on the uneven terrain and find the right support for the second foot. The spring presses on the front part of the sole with the hook-shaped end together with the tip of the foot to the chosen unequal support. Next, the user "straightens out" the spring by tensioning the muscles and detaching the foot from uneven support, transferring its weight to the other foot.

[0095] Such footwear allows the effective use of human physical resources, in particular, to take full advantage of its weight and to ensure effective operation of the muscles of the feet and tendons.

[0096] It is recommended that the user first selects footwear with the most suitable features of the spring 3 and the fasteners. In order to place the shoes according to the invention on the feet, the user must either bend the foot down towards the sole 1 under the action of the fasteners or, in the footgear insertion process itself, straighten the spring partially or completely to tighten the muscles, which increases the angle between the spring 3 a the remaining part of the sole 1 to the maximum possible angle of 180 °.

[0097] Further, the user rises on the support surface, where the human body weight acts on the spring. Under this action, the spring 3 is deformed and the angle between the parts of the sole 1 reaches almost 180 °.

[0098] Then the user will start to move. He raises one leg, supported on the other. When lifting the foot, the spring is freed from the user's weight. If the user does not apply the determined muscle strength, the angle between the spring 3 and the sole 1 decreases to its initial value, while pushing the foot up and forward. The foot bends down partially or completely, following the inclination of the sole. The foot is then placed on the support surface. The foot can touch the support surface with its end, and only then, overcoming the action of the spring, the foot deforms the spring to an angle of 180 °, and at this point the leg is fully supported by the foot.

[0099] A trained and heavyweight body, even walking with a fairly stiff spring, is fully supported on the foot's surface. A person who is weak and lightweight may lack strength to completely deform the spring, so he moves to support only part of the foot, like walking on his toes.

[0100] It should be noted that the efficiency of the use of energy accumulated by footwear will be significantly reduced if, by lowering the foot, the user touches the support surface with the heel. In this case, the front part of the foot, bent downwards following the spring, remains bent. The leg is supported only on the heel.

[0101] However, if the user moves first by lifting the heel and being supported on the tip, then pushing the tip away from the support surface (walking on the fingers), the spring acts on the tip of the foot most effectively.

[0102] The described preferred footwear embodiments are simple to manufacture and easy to use. They allow effective use of the user's weight as well as his muscular work to accumulate energy and its transfer to repel the foot in the next step. The footwear according to the invention can be used both in everyday life by different categories of users, as well as for physical exercises or sports training. It can also be used for rehabilitation purposes, such as the development of joints after injuries, etc.

[0103] In addition, the jumpers may be interested in increased efficiency due to the movement by means of energy released by the spring according to the invention of footwear. They can prepare their bodies for a jump and make a jump at the optimal moment, which significantly increases its effectiveness. For this purpose, the user performs initial rocking: partial compression and releasing the spring by means of muscular effort, for example, by bending and straightening the feet, gradually increasing the amplitude and frequency of the vibrations. When the spring is compressed to the maximum, it jumps. In this process it is possible to use the phenomenon of resonance.

[0104] The same work can be performed when the athlete (especially the sprinter) prepares for a run. Rocking can provide a stronger boost at the start.

[0105] By wearing the footwear according to the invention, one can sit, stand, walk in a slow or fast step, run and jump. In addition, special footwear for skis, skates, etc. can be produced based on this footwear.

[0106] Suitable studies have been carried out. The tests confirmed that if the spring angle was selected correctly and the top 4 was deformed, the footwear is comfortable for each category of users, and the speed of users' movements increases significantly. In the process, the efforts devoted by the user to the movement with spring deformation are practically no different from those devoted to the user's movement in ordinary footwear.

[0107] According to the present invention, shoes that store energy from muscle energy due to resilient deformation comprise a sole consisting of a front portion and a back portion, the front portion of the sole being a support spring with predetermined elasticity, providing elastic deformation, wherein the spring is bent outwardly and well secured by a bracket to the back of the sole; and fixing means for stabilizing the position of the user's foot on the sole, the fastening means being connected to the sole and pressing the front portion of the user's foot against the sole; the front and rear parts of the sole are at an initial angle to each other. In the initial position the spring is bent downwards in relation to the back of the sole.

[0108] According to the invention, this initial angle is approximately 90 ° or less.

[0109] According to the concept of an energy-accumulating footwear, the bending zone is defined in the area of ​​joining the front portion of the sole to the rear portion of the sole; and this bending zone is essentially either at the beginning of the metatarsus, either on the toes of the toes or around the heel of the wearer's foot. For example, the spring is made of a flexible polymer. According to the concept of an energy-accumulating footwear, said starting angle is chosen according to the spring properties, as well as the footwear's intended use and the user's physical fitness. In addition, according to the concept of the energy-accumulating footwear, the cross-section of the spring is made either as continuous or as variable on its length.

[0110] According to the concept of footwear that stores energy, the elasticity and stiffness of the spring are either constant or variable at its length and / or width.

[0111] According to the concept of an energy-accumulating footwear, a spring has zones with a C-shaped cross-section for partially covering a user's leg. According to the concept of energy-accumulating footwear, the spring has the form of a bent down hook.

Shirokikh, Mark Rudolfovich Plenipotentiary:

PL-PAT-2012-692

EP 2 342 985 B1